The covers come off Aston's super-exclusive Middle East-only sedan

The Aston Martin Lagonda super saloon has landed, literally, in Oman -- and photos from Oman Air, the Middle Eastern Sultanate's national airline, have given us the first clear look at the peculiar four-door in the flesh. 

According to a press release from the airline, which hauled the Lagonda to the arid nation (a few more back-and-forths and the car will qualify for the duty-free shopping discount benefits of  Sindbad Blue Status , "Oman’s awe-inspiring mountains, deserts and state of the art road network are providing the perfect backdrop for essential summer heat testing." And probably a few dramatic photo opportunities, too. 

The pair of pics we have aren't exactly the most glamorous; in one, the Lagonda is fresh from an airplane cargo hold and still strapped to a pallet. But it does give us a bit more to go on, especially when it comes to the car's previously unseen rear end. It looks familiar -- perhaps even a bit like the Lincoln MKZ, with a chrome strip running horizontally across the decklid and elongated, flush-mounted exhaust tips at the the bottom edges of the rear fascia. 

There's no offical word on powertrain, but we do know the car sits on Aston's VH platform and the 6.0-liter, 550-hp V12 seems like a likely motor -- it's what's under the hood of the Rapide, after all.  

2015 Corvette Z06 Priced at $78,995

American supercar delivers unprecedented performance, technology

DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – the most powerful and technologically advanced model in the iconic car's 62-year history – will be offered at a suggested retail price of $78,995 while the convertible model will start at $83,995, Chevrolet announced today.

"The 2015 Corvette Z06's performance and technical capabilities place it in the elite fraternity of supercars," said Harlan Charles, Corvette product and marketing manager. "Very fewcars in the world deliver 650 horsepower, true aerodynamic downforce, carbon fiber and performance technologies such as Magnetic Ride Control, Performance Traction Management and an electronic limited slip differential – and none gives the driver a transmission choice or the choice of a coupe with a removable roof panel or a full-power-top convertible."

Leveraging learnings from the Corvette Racing program, the $2,995 Carbon Fiber Ground Effects enables the Corvette Z06 to produce true aerodynamic downforce for increased stability at high speeds. The package adds a functional carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler.

For the ultimate performance, the Z07 Performance Package is available for $7,995, adding Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors that improve braking performance and contribute to better handling through reduced unsprung weight. The Z07 package adds adjustable front and rear aerodynamic components to the Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package for unprecedented aerodynamic downforce and Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires for enhanced grip.

"The Z07 performance package enhances overall performance to make the Corvette Z06 one of the most track-capable cars you can buy off the dealership floor and still drive it to work every day," said Charles.

Z06 models are offered in 1LZ, 2LZ and 3LZ trims. A range of available features enables customers to tailor the look and feel of their Z06, including:
- Premium Package with leather-wrapped interior
- Aero-enhancing carbon fiber ground effects package
- Performance Data Recorder and navigation
- Competition sport seats offered in leather or sueded microfiber
- Carbon fiber interior trim and carbon fiber convertible tonneau cover inserts
- Visible carbon fiber roof panel (Coupe)
- Tintcoat exterior colors, several available wheel finishes and several available brake caliper colors.

Most powerful, technologically advanced Corvette ever
The Z06 rejoins the Corvette lineup for 2015 with a stronger aluminum frame than previous models, an aero package designed to produce performance-enhancing downforce and an all-new, supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine rated at an SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm). That makes it the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of the most powerful production cars available in the United States.

To balance performance and efficiency, the LT4 leverages the same trio of advanced technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray – direct injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing – and leverages them with a new, more efficient supercharger. Combined with the fuel-efficient multi-speed transmissions, aerodynamic design and lightweight construction, they help make the new Z06 surprisingly efficient.

The Corvette Z06 also leverages other technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray, including the strategic use of lightweight materials and advanced driver technologies, with calibrations tailored for its capabilities. The aluminum frame structure, for example, is 20 percent stiffer than the previous, fixed-roof Z06.

Additional technologies support the car's tremendous performance capabilities and enhance the driving experience, including:
- Third-generation Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers are standard and can be adjusted for touring comfort or maximum track performance via the standard Driver Mode Selector
- Performance Traction Management is available in the Track mode of the Drive Mode Selector and offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving
- Launch control is available in Track mode for manual and automatic transmissions, providing maximum off-the-line acceleration
- An electronic limited-slip differential, also standard equipment on Z06, adjusts the rate at which the limited slip engages, to balance between steering response and stability in different driving conditions with more aggressive performance in Sport and Track modes.

The Z06 offers three increasing levels of aerodynamic downforce:
- The standard Z06 features a front splitter, spats around the front wheel openings, a unique carbon-fiber hood with a larger vent, and an aggressive rear spoiler.
- The available carbon-fiber aero package – in either carbon flash paint or a visible carbon-fiber finish – adds a carbon-fiber front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill, which combine to create true aerodynamic downforce
- The available Z07 package adds larger winglets to the front splitter, along with an adjustable, see-through center section on the rear spoiler for track use. With this package, the Corvette Z06 delivers the most aerodynamic downforce of any production car GM has tested.

Drivers can monitor the Z06's performance without taking their eyes off the road via a color head-up display (standard on 2LZ and 3LZ trims) that, among the range of performance readouts, displays a g-meter in Track mode.

The Z06 also offers the award-winning, industry-first Performance Data Recorder – or PDR – which enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track. The racing-derived system is included with the available navigation system.

Editors: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price includes destination charges but excludes tax, title, license, optional equipment and dealer fees.

2015 Chrysler 200 - Not so long ago, Chrysler was was building the Sebring in sedan a convertible variant, and it would be fair to say that the majority of buyers were bargain hunters chasing rebates and incentives along with rental agencies. Some journalist even went so far as to call it the worst car built! But today, Chrysler is now owned by Fiat, and as you would expect, Italian's have always had a flare for styling, and the 200 will not disappoint. As is the case with most passenger cars today, they all look alike, but when inside the cabin is where the 200 shines. There's a term, ergonomically correct, and that sums up this car. Our test car featured the 2.4liter four-cylinder matched to the new nine-speed automatic transmission, which is a bit numb at times, but offers an EPA rating of 28 City / 36 Highway MPG. We received a very impressive 32.8 MPG overall. Coming from a person who always claimed "All cars get 15 MPG", this economy is in my mind double what the long forgotten Sebring could ever imagine.

                          

2015 Fiat 500e - Electric cars have grabbed headlines in recent years with the industry leader Nissan Leaf and the luxurious Tesla. Let's not forget the plug-in just-in-case hybrids from Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford to somewhat dismal sales. Enter the Fiat 500e in the all-electric segment. With a range of roughly 90 miles, driven softly with the AC on, one could make an argument that if you needed an car and only drove less than 40 miles each way without a stop, you would never need gas! Actually, in Italy, gas is a soda, so, you would be petrol-free. Either way, this is a fun-to-drive car that even driven in the LA freeway system can help you avoid the pump, save-the-earth, prevent wars, all those things that a gallon of gas causes. Then, your only worry will be, can Tony do electric repairs?

2015 Audi A3 - In the under $30,000 entry-level luxury sport sedan category, the Audi A3 is a standout in the crowd. OK, our fully loaded test car had an MSRP of slightly over $37,000! Power comes from the tried-and-true 2.0 liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine linked to the "quattro all-wheel-drive system. Quick, agile, predictable are all words used to describe the drive and handling, but most notable, NO CD Player! What? Yes, Audi has now gone fully digital in where you sync you phone to the audio system and upload you favorite tunes into the personal jukebox. Or, connect to your iTunes account, and upload while cruising down the road.

2014 Audi A7 TDI - Chalk this one up as one of my favorite cars on the market today. My goal for this week was to achieve 40 MPG on an 800 miles week. Although I feel short of my goal, 35.6 is very respectable for a luxury car of this dimension that is as roomy as Snoopy's playhouse! Although the price tag of slightly over $80,000 is a little steep for many, mark this one a bargain in the class. The triple-threat of great looks, incredible drive all with compact-like fuel economy. Just as in Ron Burgundy's apartment, the A7 has leather-bound seats and smells of rich mahogany.